(Newser)
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Chris Christie is waging such an aggressive war against "entrenched liberalism" as governor of New Jersey that he's making a name for himself in national conservative circles, writes David Weigel. So much so that Weigel has him down as the "clear frontrunner" to be the GOP's vice-presidential candidate in 2012.

"Not the presidential nomination—he'd have to start running in six or seven months, which would be ridiculous," writes Weigel at his Right Now blog at the Washington Post. "But in two years, when the GOP's nominee starts looking to fill out his ticket, who will have more appeal to the base and a better record on issues that every conservative agrees with? Who will make them more confident about his (or her) ability to tear apart Vice President Joe Biden in a debate?"

Are they kidding me? Do they want to lose? He is everything that intelligent and progressive people don't want as a leader. He is not collaborative but tyrannical and not that bright. By the looks of him, he is not very disciplined. How can someone, who lacks self-discipline preach conservatism to anyone? As for as his newest educational reform is concerned. I would love to see his salary ride on his ability to successfully teach any child that does not have a consistent, structured home life with two well educated parents and a 100 IQ.

MikeGSP

Jun 23, 2010 7:00 AM CDT

The ational media pundits are utterly clueless. None of them live in New Jersey nor take the time to research what they're talking about. New Jersey is facing a $2.56B tax increase because of the faux conservative Christie. Yelling at a reporter is easy and makes for a greatsound bite but his budget sucks. State spending is up 6%. The supposed cuts everyone hears about are cuts to PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. they are not cuts to state government. By way of amendment, NJ's state constitution dictates that al income tax be used for property tax relief. Christie is stealing that money and using it to keep the Trenton bureaucracy intact and expand entitlement programs. The guy's a fraud. My property taxes are going to go up by at least a grand because of him. this conservative would like his vote back. http://www.americansforprosperity.org/062210-christie-budget-256b-blow-new-jersey-taxpayers

Sir_No_Pants

Jun 23, 2010 4:23 AM CDT

I live in New Jersey and I have to say that Chis Christie has ruined our education system. He had a choice to make and by no means was it an easy one. He had to find a way to cut spending or our taxes would go up to 14% on the dollar. Chris Christie laid eyes on our education system and ripped it limb from limb. Now keep in mind it was a high expense but in all fairness, its education. He cut the school's budgets so much that 30,000 teachers went into retirement so as not to lose benefits. He insisted that the wealthy not a pay a dime more than the middle and lower class even though it would have helped dramatically. These education cuts amount to $820 million. Christie’s refusal to extend the surtax on families earning more than $400,000 cost the state treasury $900 million, by the treasurer’s latest estimate. In other words, extending the surtax would allow him to cancel the school cuts. It's undeniable that his conservatism is potent, but at what point does it become asinine to recklessly destroy the careers of thousands of teachers? My fiance and I are now being forced out of New Jersey in order for her to seek work as a teacher. No doubt many other new teachers and old teachers are now relocating and taking money out of New Jersey. Our previous governor was no Einstein and at times it seemed like he was running against himself, but when it comes to matters of destroying education versus taxing the rich, when does it all become a game of seeing who can be more conservative?